DAMMAM, 6 February 2003 — Eight wagons of a goods train derailed at Al-Ahsa but an early warning system installed in the engine of the train averted a major mishap and helped to clear the track fast.
According to the Director General of the Saudi Railway Organization, Khaled Al-Yahya, the early warning system installed in the engines of every train for safety reasons allowed the train driver to contact headquarters immediately.
According to SRO officials, four wagons of the goods train overturned while another four wagons were derailed at 7.42 yesterday morning. Train services were disrupted for only a few minutes, Al-Yahya said.
The accident occurred as the train was about to enter Al-Ahsa station, 143 km from Dammam. No one was injured.
Last year, a similar accident caused massive delays and cancellations of trains during the Eid holidays. The SRO conducted an enquiry into the accident and set up a committee to study the safety aspects of train operations.
Following the study the SRO installed an early warning system in all trains, which warns drivers of disruptions and accidents ahead and allows them to communicate with the control centers in Dammam, Riyadh and Al-Ahsa.
